Summary#
Montréal city council unanimously adopted a decision authorizing more contingency funding for Artelia Canada inc.’s professional services contract to supervise work at parc du Bassin-à-Bois in the Sud-Ouest borough. The additional amount is $153,434.14, taxes included, bringing the contract’s maximum total to $1,917,926.73, taxes included.
- The original contract was awarded after a public call for tenders with two bidders. The decision summary does not say whether Artelia submitted the lowest compliant bid.
- The contract’s base value stays at $1,534,341.38. Its contingency budget rises from $230,151.21 to $383,585.35, taxes included.
- The added funding is for supervision and administrative follow-up through the project’s expected final acceptance in June 2027. Contract hourly rates do not change.
What it means for you#
- Residents and taxpayers: The City will pay more for professional oversight of the park construction. The decision does not set a new fee or tax rate.
- Artelia Canada inc.: The firm can receive additional payment for the services covered by the contract, within the revised maximum amount.
- Park construction: City staff say construction is expected to finish in June 2026, with final acceptance expected in June 2027 after the warranty year.
Money#
The decision authorizes $153,434.14 in additional spending, taxes included.
- The added cost is $140,105.82 net of TPS and TVQ rebates. The City says it will be paid entirely by the central city through borrowing bylaw 19-039.
- The added net cost is allocated as $90,000 in 2026 and $50,000 in 2027.
- The revised maximum contract expense is $1,917,926.73, taxes and contingencies included, or $1,751,322.74 net of rebates.
What is unclear#
- The materials do not specify how many extra hours or how much work each professional category will provide.
- They do not describe how the City will track or report use of the added contingency budget.
Case for#
- City staff say more supervision is needed because the construction schedule has extended. They cite soil contamination requiring twice the planned rehabilitation work, supply delays, a delay in the park’s electrical connection, and subcontractor coordination issues.
- Staff say the added funding will allow Artelia to continue supervision and administrative follow-up through final acceptance. Hourly rates remain unchanged.
Case against#
- The contingency budget increases by 67%, from $230,151.21 to $383,585.35, and reaches 25% of the base contract value.
- A possible concern is that construction delays have increased the City’s oversight costs. The materials do not give a breakdown of the extra hours or say whether further increases may be needed.